The aviation industry is developing at a rapid pace. New technology, tools and processes are propelling us towards a completely new state of operations, and the ATM community must make sure it is prepared to take on the challenge. From new entrants to airspace and enhanced air traffic control to technological advances in aircraft and airlines, change is upon us. How we manage these short-term realities and embrace industry-wide long-term visions is up to us.

The ATM industry is an important part of the aviation value chain. From improving the efficiency and effectiveness of global airspace to boosting safety performance, we have a critical role to play in developing and enabling high performance and innovation in air transport worldwide. To do this, we must work closely without our industry partners – airlines, airports and manufacturers – and States and regulators to understand their needs and explore how these may evolve over time.

At the CANSO Global ATM Operations Conference 2018 – open to all across the aviation industry – we will focus on this aspect of ATM, looking at how air traffic management can embrace innovation and meet the requirements of airspace users, both now and in the future. The conference will bring together some of the industry's key challengers and thought-leaders to provide timely insight into a number of top topics.

Keynote speaker, Klaus-Dieter Scheurle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DFS and CANSO Executive Committee Operations Champion, will set the scene on the future challenges for ATM, looking at the new technologies and systems that are emerging and how they might impact air traffic management.

To take a closer look, the conference's in-depth panel sessions and interactive workshops will focus on three areas: commercial drones, smart towers and new aircraft technologies. Led by members of the drone industry including Uber, Unmanned Life, DJI and Facebook, the conference will explore what the future holds for these new entrants to airspace and how the ATM industry can best accommodate them. We will consider how smart towers are changing the face of ATM operations, and what impact new aircraft technologies and airline procedures could have on the ATM industry – and how we can best take advantage of the new technologies.

Our guest speaker is Christobal Perán from Altran ID, a company of experts in innovation, improving operational efficiency and identifying business development opportunities. He will give a unique perspective on being inventive and enabling change in industry.

If you would like to find out more about why our industry needs to embrace innovation in drones, take advantage of smart tower technology, and evolve to meet airline and manufacturer visions, join us. Obtain a deeper understanding of these challenges from key players within the industry, share your views and help devise strategies that will enable a more integrated, efficient and effective industry in the future.

To find out more about the CANSO Global ATM Operations Conference 2018 programme or to register, visit the event page.